The Office for Environmental Protection, established to hold the Westminster government to account in terms of its environmental performance post-Brexit, has published its first report. It calls for the government to aim high and act now to ensure it achieves its ambitions and points out that ‘government strategy and policy have not yet proved successful’. […]
A welcome report from the EAC, including this recommendation: “We recommend that the Government introduce, not later than December 2023, regulations to mandate whole-life carbon assessments for buildings above a gross internal area of 1000m2, or which create more than 10 dwellings. This requirement should be established in Building Regulations, and ought to be reflected […]
The DEFRA’s Consultation on the Government’s Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan closed on 12 May. The deadline for responses to the DEFRA Consultation on Environmental Targets has been extended to 27 June. DEFRA is currently consulting on proposals for a series of legally-binding, long-term environmental targets in England. In accordance with the Environment Act 2021 […]
Microplastics in sewage: a toxic combination that is poisoning our land By George Monbiot Policy failure and lack of enforcement have left Britain’s waterways and farmland vulnerable to ‘forever chemicals’ We have recently woken up to a disgusting issue. Rather than investing properly in new sewage treatment works, water companies in the UK – since […]
From Leeds University The official launch of a natural flood management site on Bodington Fields took place on 19th May. Located at the Brownlee Triathlon Centre in north Leeds, the site is the first of its kind in the UK. It will reduce flood risk in the area and increase resilience to the impacts of […]
New research by Ofwat and CCW finds that sewer flooding has a significant negative impact on customers, regardless of the severity of the incident. Despite providing a good service initially, wastewater companies are falling short when it comes to longer term communication, resolution and compensation. People who have their homes flooded with sewage are frequently […]
Ambitious, collaborative agenda needed to deliver for customers and the environment by 2050 White Paper from industry body Water UK sets out the sector’s vision for an improved water system in England by 2050 Without urgent action future generations will face significant challenges to maintain water supplies and tackle pressures on water quality and habitats […]
House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee launches major new inquiry into water sector regulator Ofwat The Committee will consider Ofwat’s performance against its statutory objectives and whether it has the powers and resources needed to meet those objectives. It will also consider the regulator’s relationship with the Government and other regulators. The Committee is […]